The Mariners are planning to select right-hander Prelander Berroa onto their 40-man roster, president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto tells reporters (including Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times). The 22-year-old would otherwise be eligible for the Rule 5 draft this winter, and Seattle will keep him away from other clubs by adding him to the 40-man.
Seattle acquired Berroa in May, adding him from the Giants in a deal that sent utilityman Donovan Walton to San Francisco. It was the second trade of Berroa’s young career, as he’d previously gone from the Twins to the Giants in a 2019 deadline deal. A native of the Dominican Republic, Berroa draws praise from evaluators for his fastball-slider combination but has some questions about his control.
That was mostly borne out in his 2022 numbers. Berroa split his time between High-A and Double-A, starting all 26 of his appearances. He posted a cumulative 2.86 ERA through 100 2/3 innings, striking out an incredible 36.5% of batters faced. He also walked an elevated 12.6% of opponents, highlighting that his strike-throwing remains a work in progress. Nevertheless, the M’s feel there’s a chance another club would’ve plugged Berroa directly onto the MLB roster next year given the quality of his stuff.
Then I suppose that after the Rule 5 draft, the Mariners will select his brother, Postlander Berroa.
You forgot about their 1/2 bro Highlander.
And their cousin, Outlander
What about Zoolander??
Hahahaha!!! Zoolander! Finally got me to laugh.
Zoolander is a good depth piece. I want Hansel though… he’s so hot right now.
You want to see his, “Blue Steel?”
And the other brother from another mother, Rhinelander
This offseason, the Mariners sign Verlander.
Sick trade Farhan! Really worked out, especially when Giants DFA Walton in less than a week
It was a dumb trade as soon as it was announced.
The Giants and Mariners did 27 trades earlier this season (not 27 but it was a lot) and this was by far the worst one for the Giants.
At the very least this kid will be great out of the bullpen and his ceiling is high. Giants got Walton, who will probably get non-tendered.
Great job Farhan!
“Prelander.” What an unusual name.
Jerry’s done it again!
Am I the only one who thinks Dipoto has been a really good GM for the Mariners? Seems like he really improved as a GM as the years have gone on.
I completely agree that Dipoto has gotten better. I believe Dipoto himself mentioned something to that affect when he received his most recent extension.
The Mariners decide to protect a kid who 20 teams would benefit by plopping into their bullpen tomorrow? This is indeed shocking news.
In the next controversial decision, the Mariners will also rotect Isaiah Campbell. Say it ain’t so.
Prelander has landed
Ah yes, 1/3 of the return for Sam Dyson in 2019. That sure worked out well
Damn didn’t realize this guy was such a beast last year. don’t know if they want to keep him as a starter (looked pretty good in 13 starts), but he could be another x-factor in the 2023 pen.
This was a no-brainer for Seattle. I hope he gets invited to Spring Training so the team can evaluate just how good he is. He has the upside to become a lockdown, 8th or even 9th inning pitcher if he can get over his control issues (easier said then done). He feels like someone out of Houston’s pen who can come in at any time during the game and throw 98mph with ease with a wipe out slider as well.
I’d be surprised if he stayed in the rotation in MLB but stranger things have happened. Right now, he’s a two pitch pitcher but if he can add a change up and a cutter or splitter, then he could wind up in the rotation after all.
So the move is a precaution to losing Prelander?
Precisely.
Then it should preempt any team from selecting him in the Rule 5.
Dipoto and Zaidi definitely have a rapport and are willing to help each other out on the short term dealing from minor league depth. Zaidi’s previous two bosses, Beane and Freidman are in San Francisco’s geographic “No Trade Zone”, otherwise I’m sure they’d be making deals right and left.
It’s curious why POBO’s/GM’s deal frequently with some front offices and not at all with others. It seemed that Zaidi and Falvey had a nice rapport until Zaidi raked Falvey over the coals with 2 consecutive trades (Sam Dyson for 3 players including Berroa) and Shawn Anderson for Lamont Wade Jr. Now I doubt Falvey will speak to Farhan.
Anyway, being a Giants fan and an unabashed supporter of Zaidi (I’m still on the fence about Kapler) I would hope that Farhan and company can develop rapports with other front offices. The Giants have a lot of former top prospects who are stalling out in the minors and several of whom might benefit from a change of scenery. But Farhan, please don’t give these guys up for nothing like you did with Prelander.
In my book you’re allowed the occasional dud of a trade but Seattle owes you now!
Good move! Like it